Football

Just after news broke that Florida State and West Virginia are close to finalizing a 2020 matchup in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, it broke on Thursday that FSU is also nearing a deal for a 2019 neutral-site matchup with Boise State in Jacksonville. Like this year’s “neutral-site” game against Ole Miss in Orlando, the 2019 game would be a win-win as it would bring in the money of a neutral-site game but would also remain a FSU-heavy crowd due to the location.

In general college football news, the College Football Playoff Committee officially announced on Thursday that it would be doing away with all semifinal matchups that fall on a weekday New Year’s Eve for the foreseeable future. Here’s the playoff’s new upcoming schedule:

2016-17

Saturday, December 31

Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl

2017-18

Monday, January 1

Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl

*2018-19

Saturday, December 29

Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl

*2019-20

Saturday, December 28

Fiesta Bowl and Peach Bowl

2020-21

Friday, January 1

Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl

2021-22

Friday, December 31

Orange Bowl and Bowl TBD

2022-23

Saturday, December 31

Bowls TBD

2023-24

Monday, January 1

Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl

*2024-25

Saturday, December 28

Orange Bowl and Bowl TBD

*2025-26

Saturday, December 27

Bowls TBD

Seminoles.com shared an awesome photo gallery update of Doak Campbell Stadium’s new videoboard on Thursday as well.

Recruiting

ESPN’s Craig Haubert included Florida State on his list of the five teams that are already dominating the 2018 recruiting class rankings.

Florida State: With two No. 1 classes since 2011, it should come as no surprise that the Seminoles are off to a good start. Their class includes several ESPN Junior 300 offensive playmakers, led by the speedy and fluid No. 1 athlete Justin Watkins and running back James Cook, the brother of current FSU RB Dalvin Cook. Defensively, defensive tackleRobert Cooper has a powerful, wide body and can develop into an excellent interior run-stuffer.

Alumni

A pair of Florida State alums who suffered injuries with their NFL teams returned to their training camps on Thursday when Jalen Ramsey worked out with the Jags and Kelvin Benjamin finished his year-long recovery from a torn ACL.

Other Sports

On Thursday, the Florida State basketball team found out which two teams would be traveling to Tallahassee to take part in their first two games of the Preseason NIT Tournament in November.